decontaminate

[ dee-kuh n-tam-uh-neyt ]
/ ˌdi kənˈtæm əˌneɪt /

verb (used with object), de·con·tam·i·nated, de·con·tam·i·nat·ing.

to make (an object or area) safe for unprotected personnel by removing, neutralizing, or destroying any harmful substance, as radioactive material or poisonous gas.
to make free of contamination; purify: to decontaminate a sickroom.

Origin of decontaminate

First recorded in 1935–40; de- + contaminate

OTHER WORDS FROM decontaminate

de·con·tam·i·na·tion, noun de·con·tam·i·na·tive, adjective de·con·tam·i·na·tor, noun

Example sentences from the Web for decontamination

British Dictionary definitions for decontamination

decontaminate
/ (ˌdiːkənˈtæmɪˌneɪt) /

verb

(tr) to render (an area, building, object, etc) harmless by the removal, distribution, or neutralization of poisons, radioactivity, etc

Derived forms of decontaminate

decontaminant, noun decontamination, noun decontaminative, adjective decontaminator, noun

Medical definitions for decontamination

decontamination
[ dē′kən-tăm′ə-nāshən ]

n.

The removal or neutralization of a contaminating substance, such as poisonous gas or a radioactive material.

Other words from decontamination

de′con•tami•nate (-nāt′) v.